How Social Media Benefits Seniors

Social Media can be very beneficial for seniors. It provides an instant social network, which helps combat loneliness, isolation, and depression. This is very important because loneliness can have a huge negative impact on the health of older adults, and is associated with increased blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, and a decrease in cognitive abilities and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Another wonderful thing about social media is the connectedness. People have been able to reconnect with old friends, classmates, or family that they lost touch with years ago. It is also great for staying close with family and friends who may live far away – video chatting is more intimate than a phone call, and social media makes it easy to share videos, pictures, articles, and more. It also helps bridge the generational gap to connect seniors with their grandkids, who may be more active on social media. 

Social media provides entertainment (let’s admit it – we have all seen and laughed at a cat video on social media). It also encourages hobbies and interests. This is key for seniors who are not very mobile but still want to interact with others who share hobbies – for instance someone can join groups about knitting, have discussions about knitting and share tips, and more! Sometimes new friendships can come from this as well! 

Social Media is also educational! There is an incredible nutrition and health food conscious community on Facebook (that we love!), where people post material like recipes, nutrition, food science, health, and more! We love reading those articles and participating in discussions!

Although new technology may be challenging for some, one great way to help reduce confusion is to download a ‘simple’ version of social media, such as facebook, that is more straightforward and easier for seniors to use. 

World Social Media Day

Happy World Social Media Day!

Social Media Day is a way to recognize social media’s impact on global communication, and to bring the world together to celebrate it. Everyone uses social media everyday; it’s how we connect with people all over the world in a simple and fast way.

The first major social media platform was MySpace in 2003, and Facebook launched soon after in 2004. Facebook is the largest social media platforms in existence that now has over one billion people using it. Other popular social media platforms are Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Whatsapp, TikTok, and many others. These platforms have evolved from written messages, to pictures, and eventually videos that can be shared instantly and seen by millions.

Besides connecting with our friends and family in an easier way, social media has led to a whole new world of business growth, such as e-commerce brands popping up all over the world, advertising being displayed on every page in the web, and media sharing important news with people in a matter of minutes. Social media has had a significant impact on our world, and millions of people can’t imagine living without it now.

Hugs for Seniors

When your body is stressed, you are more susceptible to becoming sick because higher cortisol (the stress hormone) levels can suppress your immune system. Hugs—as an indicator of social support but also because it involves touch—might pack a flu-fighting punch. Studies have shown that strong social ties can protect against stress, anxiety and depression, which in turn can help prevent or decrease illness.

A hug, pat on the shoulder and other forms of physical touch offer many health benefits, especially for seniors, who often get touched less often. Studies indicate that therapeutic touch can ease pain, improve sleep, ease anxiety and calm agitation in older adults with dementia. Physical touch can also help lower heart rate and improve blood flow, increase alertness, and ease the stress of interpersonal conflicts.

Unfortunately seniors receive the least touching of any age group. Researchers assert that the reason may be that many older adults live alone and may be socially isolated. Touch is especially important for older adults, who may be suffering from lack of social interaction, depression and chronic illness. We know how strong the link is between emotions and the immune system.

At Private Home Care, we integrate this important element in our care. Whether it be holding someone’s hand, a loving hug, brushing hair, or a gentle pat on the back can be very healing and comforting for seniors because they do not feel isolated and alone. The power of therapeutic touch is strong and can help physical and emotional healing. Our motto is ‘Compassion is at the Heart of Our Care’. This inspires us to take the very best care of your loved ones, which of course includes hugs to nurture the basic human need for touch and social connection.

What Happens to Your Body When You Hug!

What happens to your body when you hug!

1. Hugs boost oxytocin levels. Elevated oxytocin levels lead to lessening of feelings of anger, loneliness, and isolation.

2. Hugs raise serotonin levels. Elevated Serotonin levels improve your mood, create happiness, and help to regulate your sleep cycle.

3. Hugs release endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers, so getting a hug will actually soothe your aches and pains!

4. Hugs increase production of dopamine. Dopamine is produced in the reward center of the brain and makes you happy, relieves depression, and just makes you feel good all over.

5. Hugs reduce levels of circulating cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. By reducing the amount of cortisol circulating in the blood, hugs can alleviate stress and calm the mind.

6. Hugs lower blood pressure. Hugs activate pressure receptors in the skin called pacinian corpuscles, which send signals to the part of your brain responsible for lowering blood pressure.

7. Hugs strengthen your immune system. Hugs can help stimulate the thymus gland which regulates the body’s production of white blood cells, which fight off disease.

8. Hugs relax your muscles. Hugs relieve tension in the body and soothe pain. As a result, they increase circulation to the soft tissue and relax the muscles.

9. Hugs balance the nervous system. The same pacinian corpuscles which help to lower blood pressure also help balance out the nervous system. The longer the hug, the more balanced the nervous system becomes.

10. Hugs are wonderful! You didn’t need to read about the physiology behind hugs to know that they not only feel great but are also great for your health! Hugs help us connect with the loved ones in our lives and help strengthen our social network and support. They have a similar effect on the body as laughter and meditation by detaching you from stress and connecting you with mindfulness and happiness. So give someone you love a hug today. The bigger the better!

National Coconut Day

It is National Coconut Day!

Not only are coconuts delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes, they are a nutritional superfood!

-Coconuts are nutritious – Although coconut meat is high in fat, the MCTs it contains may help you lose excess body fat. The meat also provides carbs and protein along with many essential minerals, such as manganese, copper, iron, and selenium.

-Eating coconut may improve cholesterol levels and help decrease belly fat, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

-Coconut is low in carbs and rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a great choice for blood sugar control.

-Contains powerful antioxidants (our favorite word)! Coconuts contain polyphenol antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage, which may reduce your disease risk.

-The polyphenols found in it can prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, making it less likely to form plaques in arteries that can increase the risk of heart disease.

Some studies have shown that antioxidants found in coconut oil may help protect cells from damage and death caused by oxidative stress and chemotherapy.

-Easy to add to your diet! Coconut is versatile in the kitchen and works well in both sweet and savory foods. It’s a great choice for those on low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, or nut-free diets.

https://tasty.co/article/rachelysanders/coconut-recipes

National Bingo Day!

It’s National Bingo Day!

Bingo first came to the U.S. in the 1930s, started with paper cards sporting 24 numbered squares arranged in five rows and five columns — plus that enticing “free space” in the middle which seems to promise a short cut to riches!

Bingo is a popular game among seniors because it is a fun activity that can be played no matter your age or capabilities. Researchers have learned that this game has a lot more value than for just fun and leisure, and it is very beneficial for seniors!

Benefits of playing bingo:

-Cognitive abilities boosted
-Hand-eye coordination improved
-Physical health strengthened
-Social participation is increased (very important!)
-Healing from illness and surgery is sped up

https://abovebeyondhc.com/…/5-ways-bingo-can-help-boost-se…/